Dean Manchester  

Culver - Dean Manchester, 85, of rural Culver passed away June 11, 2006 at 1:17 a.m. at home in the comfort of his family.

Dean was born Oct. 2, 1920 in Morocco, Ind. to Arthur and Etta (Graves) Manchester. After graduating high school, Dean enlisted in the US Marine Corps, serving with the 2nd Marine Division in the Asiatic Pacific area in battles at Tarawa, Gilbert, Saipan and the Marshall Islands. He worked for two years at the Marine Headquarters in Washington D.C. after being honorably discharged in 1945. Dean married Gweneth Smith of New Zealand on July 5, 1947 in Kentland, Ind. They were blessed with three children.

Dean enjoyed farming and raising cattle. He worked for the Soil and Water Conservation as a technician, retiring after 28 years and serving five counties. He was appointed to the Arrowhead County Resource Conservation and Development Inc. for 21 years. Dean also was a 4H Leader for 36 years as well as being a member of the Morocco Masonic Lodge #372 Free and Accepted Masons.

Dean is survived by his loving family: wife, Gweneth of Culver ; son, Stuart (Paula) Manchester of Brook, Ind.; daughters: Carin (Terry) Clifton of Culver and Janet (Robert) Lyon Jr. of Newport, Wash.; eight grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; sister, Dolores Brandt of Fenton, Mich. and one niece, Polly (Bill) Sheppard. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Friends may share a time of remembrance and celebration of Dean's life with his family on Wednesday, June 14 from 4 to 8 p.m. EST at the Bonine-Odom Funeral Home in Culver . A graveside service will follow on Thursday, June 15 at 11 a.m. EST at the Maxinkuckee IOOF (Poplar Grove) Cemetery, 3 miles east of Culver on SR 10. Rev. Bob Metzger will officiate with military rites conducted by Finney-Shilling VFW Post 6919.

Memorial contributions may be given to Marshall Co. 4-H or the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care. Letters of condolence may be sent to the family via the obituary page of www.bonine-odom.com.

The Bonine-Odom Funeral Home, Culver , is in charge of arrangements.